An Everlasting Bloom
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From a love story shaped by science to a heritage brand ready for the world, this is the evolution of a Singapore icon—rooted in romance, refined through time.
A promise draped in gold
“I wish orchids could last forever.” That simple wish, made during a stroll through the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1955, would inspire one of the nation’s most enduring jewellery brands.
Dr Lee Kum Tatt, a scientist, turned the moment into a lasting tribute by plating a delicate orchid in gold as both a breakthrough and a love letter.
By 1974, Dr Lee—then chairman of SISIR (Singapore Institute of Standards and Industrial Research)—had succeeded in preserving an Oncidium bloom in gold. He named it Oncidium Engeline Lee after his wife.
It became the prototype for RISIS, its name a reverse of SISIR, where science met sentiment.
Dr Lee Kum Tatt and his wife, Engeline Lee, at the Singapore Botanic Gardens in 1956. Source: A Fabulous Journey: The Blog of Dr Lee Kum Tatt, 2012
Watch this video to trace the evolution of RISIS.
The 1970s also marked a growing sense of national identity. Then-Finance Minister Goh Keng Swee envisioned a Singapore souvenir as iconic as Japanese pearls or Indonesian Batik, and RISIS answered the call.
Gold has always symbolised permanence. But RISIS made it personal: a way to hold memory in form. Fusing romance, science and craft, it became more than a keepsake. It became a symbol of national ingenuity in a rapidly changing Singapore.
“After Singapore became independent in 1965, there was hardly anything Singapore could claim as its own. Souvenirs from other countries usually incorporated locally produced materials, local skills, or technology, coupled with culture that would take years to evolve,” wrote Dr Lee in his 2012 autobiography A Fabulous Journey.
From souvenirs to jewellery, RISIS marks its latest evolution with limited-edition SG60 brooches you can style your way.
“We were trying to create a Singapore souvenir in the same way, and I decided we would work on the orchid first—a natural orchid encased in gold, as my wife Engeline wanted.” – Dr Lee Kum Tatt, scientist
From lab bench to legacy
Born from a scientist’s promise and refined over decades, RISIS has evolved into one of Singapore’s most iconic brands. Here, we trace its journey, one shaped by innovation, culture and elegance.
The Aranda Deborah was the first gold-plated orchid brooch by RISIS. It debuted at Tangs department store, marking the beginning of mass production for RISIS.
1976
The first bloom
Celebrating SG60 in signature style
What began as a quiet gesture of love has since bloomed into a symbol of national pride. To mark Singapore’s 60th birthday, RISIS unveils the SG60 Orchid Evolution brooches—modern heirlooms crafted from real orchid blooms, each naturally one of a kind.
More than a celebration of nature’s individuality, the four limited-edition brooches (there are only 60 altogether) reflect the brand’s enduring devotion to craft, heritage and reinvention.
RISIS chief executive officer Verene Ng points to the brand’s “deep-rooted connection to the orchid” as the motivation behind the brooches.
“As Singapore celebrates its 60th birthday, we saw it as a meaningful opportunity to mark this national milestone to show how our Orchid varieties have evolved since 1976,” she says.
SG60 Iconic Vanda Miss Joaquim Orchid Brooch with Red Agate
Singapore’s national flower, reimagined in 24K Swiss gold and palladium, is accented with vivid red agate, a nod to the nation’s colours. This brooch also doubles as a pendant, and is a wearable tribute to heritage, identity and a future still unfolding.
SG60 Resilient Cambria Orchid Brooch with Akoya Pearl
Formed from a vivid Cambria Barrocco Red Orchid, and encapsulated in 24K Swiss gold and palladium, the orchid is paired with a luminous grey Akoya pearl, prized for its ethereal glow. A tribute to resilience and adaptability, it effortlessly transforms from a brooch to a pendant. This way, you can style it in whichever way you desire.
SG60 Bold Dendrobium Orchid Brooch in Gold and Palladium
A study in contrast—silver and gold, strength and softness. Featuring a natural Dendrobium Orchid, this brooch is encased in palladium and finished in 24K Swiss gold. Wear it as a brooch or pendant, an emblem of confidence and versatility.
SG60 Majestic Phalaenopsis Orchid Brooch in Gold and Palladium
Sculptural and striking, this brooch captures the grandeur of the Phalaenopsis Orchid. Encapsulated in 24K Swiss gold and palladium, it’s designed to command attention—bold in vision, timeless in form.
“More than just commemorative pieces, these brooches represent the shared journey of growth and transformation between RISIS and Singapore.”
Verene Ng, CEO, RISIS
Blooming brilliance
Though RISIS has evolved, its essence endures: quiet patience, meticulous craft and a reverence for preserving nature’s fleeting beauty. At the heart of it all is a real orchid—ephemeral, elegant and famously difficult to perfect.
Here’s how each orchid is carefully handpicked, shaped and finished by hand:
Selection process
Within the climate-controlled facility at RISIS, only the most pristine, fully bloomed orchids are selected. There is no rush; just patience and precision—an ethos that carries through every stage of creation.
Preservation in copper and electroplating
Each fresh orchid begins its transformation through electroforming, where a delicate layer of copper is gently deposited onto the bloom, capturing its form in perfect detail.
24K Swiss gold plating
The brand’s hallmark lies in its proprietary technique: Real orchids transformed through layers of its signature 24K Swiss gold, prized for its purity and prestige—all achieved through a cyanide- and nickel-free process.
Refined over decades, this blend of artistry and alchemy is a closely held secret. Each piece is produced in small quantities, preserving both its individuality and a sense of exclusivity.
Beyond its natural orchid creations, RISIS has also redefined how heritage can be worn today. Its casted jewellery collections, rendered in 18K gold and designed with daintier silhouettes, appeal to a younger audience.
Signature designs include the Peranakan-inspired collections, which reinterpret traditional motifs into refined expressions of grace and strength.
In 2024, RISIS showed off modern orchid jewellery on the UltraLuxe runway, styled alongside couture kebayas. Source: RISIS
From cultural icon to
personal heirloom
Before it became a keepsake, the orchid held quiet power in Singapore’s cultural diplomacy. Since the 1950s, it has been gifted to visiting dignitaries and global icons as a living tribute. These are often showcased in international garden festivals, like the Elizabeth Dendrobium, presented to Queen Elizabeth II at the 1984 International Garden Festival in Liverpool.
With RISIS, that tribute was made permanent by being cast in gold. Over time, these gilded orchids have come to symbolise more than diplomacy. Like an heirloom passed between generations, they mark not just grandeur, but love, legacy, beginnings and milestones. The gold does not make the memory, but it holds it.
Madam Roziah Rahim, who has been with RISIS for the last three decades, can attest to that.
The senior retail manager says: “One of my proudest memories with the team was witnessing RISIS evolve from modest department store counters to opening our first flagship boutique in the 1990s.
“It marked a turning point, a reflection of how far the brand had come and the growing appreciation for our orchid creations.”
Orchids cast in gold take centre stage in the Re-bloom earrings and hand chain, where heritage meets bold, modern silhouettes. Photo: RISIS
“What truly makes me proud is the meaningful interactions with long-time customers who return to share their stories—one even told me she had treasured her RISIS brooch, first bought in the 1970s. After almost 50 years, the brooch is still of good quality.”
Madam Roziah Rahim, senior RETAIL manager, RISIS
One of the brand’s latest innovations, the Aqua Enchanté si dian jin collection reinterprets traditional wedding jewellery. Photo: RISIS
Redefining modern elegance
While the iconic brooches remain beloved, RISIS has expanded its vision, growing its collection of design-led jewellery designed to suit contemporary tastes.
The result? Beautiful pieces that showcase how craftsmanship carries meaning and artistry feels personal.
Among its contemporary offerings is a reimagining of si dian jin, a tradition once rooted in formality, which has now been translated into sleek, wearable pieces that also embrace individual style. The brand has also extended its artistry beyond adornment, unveiling a refined line of lifestyle decor where natural form meets thoughtful function.
Signature creations for timeless style
Swipe to explore standout stylish jewellery and lifestyle decor that reflect how RISIS melds heritage with modern design.
“From our first iconic gold orchid brooch to current runway statement pieces and bespoke creations, RISIS has truly evolved and come a long way in nearly 50 years.” – Verene Ng, CEO, RISIS